Non Consuptive Whaling Essay

“Non-consumptive” utilization of whales has become a recent phenomenon and is understood as the “use of cetacean resources which does not involve the deliberate killing or critical harming of whales,” as opposed to the commercial slaughtering of cetaceans. Instead, non-consumptive use includes “benign research, habitat protection; recreational whale watching; cetacean captivity; and cultural valuation” (Barstow, 1986, pg. 156). In 1977, the International Whaling Committee argued that "the benefits to society of tourism, entertainment, and other so-called low-consumptive uses of whales, together with their broader aesthetic and cultural value, should be taken into account in whaling management.” Therefore, Article 65 commands that "states shall cooperate with a view to the conservation of marine mammals and in the case of cetaceans shall in particular work through the appropriate international organizations for their conservation, management, and study” (156).

They argue that in order to provide the whales with safe and adequate environments, more information is needed about their lifestyles, which includes the confinement of these whales. These adequacies of these whale sanctuaries are protected by “regulations with respect to the conservation and utilization of whale resources, ... including the designation of sanctuary areas.” These sanctuaries provide direct access and opportunities for direct insight into the lives of whales, and allow monitoring of human and whale interaction “both to prevent harassment and to assess possible changes in whale reaction”